Most of us have grown up in a culture where alcohol is commonplace. Many people believe it (and certain drugs) to be harmless - only severe substance abuse is harmful, responsible use can even be beneficial and is part of normal social life . . . so goes the argument.
We now live in a society awash with alcohol and drugs, which makes abstinence appear odd, unreasonable or even fanatical. Yet everyone knows someone (often a family member) whose life has been damaged by drugs or alcohol. So this book advocates rebellion. If being a rebel in some past age meant partying all the time, binge-drinking, taking drugs, being cool, this form of rebellion is long dead. Still, we rarely take a sceptical look at the use of 'alcohol and other chemical pastimes' in our society.
Although inspired by the Bahá'í Writings, this book is not inherently religious. Drawing on reputable scientific sources easily available online, it makes the case for choosing a life free of alcohol and drugs - and not only for health reasons. It invites the reader to rebel against indolence, irrationality, prejudice, injustice and hatred; to stand for justice, clarity, community and compassion in the face of apathy and lethargy; to care deeply for humanity and to become a leader in the cultural change needed for society as a whole to fulfil its potential.

Rob Cacchioni grew up in a small Canadian town, enmeshed in his own 'chemical pastimes' on the 'other side of the tracks'. In his early 20s he moved to Vancouver to study counselling and personal coaching. Already a student of comparative religion, he there encountered the Bahá'ís. He investigated Bahá'u'lláh's claim and embraced His global vision. He spent several years in South Korea, Taiwan and Yemen. He now lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children, where he teaches martial arts and music, and regularly offers talks on religious unity. For 20 years, he's studied religion and philosophy and currently runs a YouTube channel called Bridging Beliefs, offering bridges between Bahá'u'lláh's vision and Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, secularism and atheism.

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